Online casinos are illegal in the Cayman Islands under the comprehensive gambling prohibition established by the Gambling Act, which has been in effect since 1963 and was most recently revised in 2016 (1). The Cayman Islands Government maintains strict anti-gambling laws that prohibit all forms of commercial gambling within the territory, including online casino operations. The Office of the Law Revision Commissioner, operating under the Portfolio of Legal Affairs of the Cayman Islands Government, oversees the legislative framework that makes gambling activities criminal offenses subject to fines and imprisonment.
The Gambling Act of 2016 defines gambling as playing "a game, whether of skill or chance, for money or money's worth" and establishes penalties for violations including fines up to $40 for basic wagering offenses and up to $100 for keeping a common gaming house, with potential imprisonment in default of payment (2). While the law does not explicitly mention online gambling, legal experts interpret the broad prohibition to encompass all forms of digital gambling activities. The only legal exception to the gambling ban is non-profit raffles organized by charitable organizations for fundraising purposes, which were permitted under a 2015 amendment.
"All forms of commercial gambling are illegal in the Cayman Islands. You will not find a casino anywhere on the island."
Despite the prohibition, enforcement against individual players accessing international online casinos appears limited, with authorities primarily targeting illegal gambling operators rather than players themselves (2). The Cayman Islands government has proposed increasing penalties significantly, with recent draft amendments suggesting fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment terms of up to four years for gambling offenses. While some international online casinos accept players from the Cayman Islands, residents engaging in such activities technically violate local law and risk potential prosecution, though no reports exist of individuals being specifically targeted for online gambling participation.
Source:
https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/
https://mcgrathtonner.com/archives/847
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
